Main Entry: mad·ri·gal

Pronunciation: \ˈma-dri-gəl\

Function: noun

Etymology: Italian madrigale, probably from Medieval Latin matricale, from neuter of *matricalis simple, from Late Latin, of the womb, from Latin matric-, matrix womb, from mater mother

Date: 1588

1 : a medieval short lyrical poem in a strict poetic form
2 a : a complex polyphonic unaccompanied vocal piece on a secular text developed especially in the 16th and 17th centuries b : part-song; especially : glee

— mad·ri·gal·ian \ˌma-drə-ˈga-lē-ən, -ˈgā-\ adjective

— mad·ri·gal·ist \ˈma-dri-gə-list\ noun